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Torres-Ruiz M, de Alba Gonzalez M, Cañas Portilla AI, Coronel R, Liste I, González-Caballero MC. Effects of nanomolar methylmercury on developing human neural stem cells and zebrafish Embryo. Food Chem Toxicol 2024; 188:114684. [PMID: 38663761 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2024.114684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Exposure to mercury and its organic form methylmercury (MeHg), is of great concern for the developing nervous system. Despite available literature on MeHg neurotoxicity, there is still uncertainty about its mechanisms of action and the doses that trigger developmental effects. Our study combines two alternative methodologies, the human neural stem cells (NSC) and the zebrafish (ZF) embryo, to address the neurotoxic effects of early exposure to nanomolar concentrations of MeHg. Our results show linear or nonmonotonic (hormetic) responses depending on studied parameters. In ZF, we observed a hormetic response in locomotion and larval rotation, but a concentration-dependent response for sensory organ size and habituation. We also observed a possible delayed response as MeHg had greater effects on larval activity at 5 days than at 24 h. In NSC cells, some parameters show a clear dose dependence, such as increased apoptosis and differentiation to glial cells or decreased neuronal precursors; while others show a hormetic response: neuronal differentiation or cell proliferation. This study shows that the ZF model was more susceptible than NSC to MeHg neurotoxicity. The combination of different models has improved the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of toxicity and possible compensatory mechanisms at the cellular and organismal level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Torres-Ruiz
- Environmental Toxicology Unit, Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km. 2,2., Majadahonda, Madrid, 28220, Spain.
| | - Mercedes de Alba Gonzalez
- Environmental Toxicology Unit, Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km. 2,2., Majadahonda, Madrid, 28220, Spain
| | - Ana I Cañas Portilla
- Environmental Toxicology Unit, Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km. 2,2., Majadahonda, Madrid, 28220, Spain
| | - Raquel Coronel
- Unidad Funcional de Investigación de Enfermedades Crónicas (UFIEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Biología de Sistemas, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Liste
- Unidad Funcional de Investigación de Enfermedades Crónicas (UFIEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mª Carmen González-Caballero
- Environmental Toxicology Unit, Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (CNSA), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km. 2,2., Majadahonda, Madrid, 28220, Spain.
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Carvalho PS, Fonseca-Rodrigues D, Pacheco M, Almeida A, Pinto-Ribeiro F, Pereira P. Comparative neurotoxicity of dietary methylmercury and waterborne inorganic mercury in fish: Evidence of optic tectum vulnerability through morphometric and histopathological assessments. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 261:106557. [PMID: 37329637 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
This work investigated the effects of inorganic mercury (iHg) and methylmercury (MeHg) on the fish optic tectum morphology, viz. in relation to: (i) vulnerability of specific optic tectum layers; (ii) preferential targeting of Hg forms to neurons or glial cells; (iii) comparative toxicity of iHg and MeHg in this brain area that is in the maintenance of several fish behaviors. Two experiments exposing juvenile white seabream (Diplodus sargus) to waterborne iHg [HgCl2 (2 μg L-1)] and dietary MeHg (8.7 μg g-1) were performed, comprising both exposure (7 and 14 days; E7 and E14, respectively) and post-exposure (28 days; PE28) periods. Morphometric assessments were performed using stereological methods where the layers of the optic tectum were outlined, while its area and the number of neurons and glial cells were estimated. A histopathological assessment was also performed per section and per layer of optic tectum. iHg exposure did not trigger the loss of neurons during the exposure periods, while a decrease of glial cells was detected in a single layer of the optic tectum at E14. Differently, upon MeHg exposure, a decrease on the number of neurons and glial cells was found in several layers of optic tectum. In the post-exposure, both Hg forms triggered the loss of neurons, while only MeHg exposure led to a decrease on the number of glia cells. The histopathological assessment pointed out a higher toxicity of MeHg in the optic tectum layers, particularly in the post-exposure period, while no significant alterations were found in fish exposed to iHg. Hg forms targeted preferentially neurons. iHg and MeHg are relevant neurotoxicants to fish, with MeHg exposure leading to a higher toxicity than iHg in the optic tectum. After 28 days of post-exposure, iHg and MeHg neurotoxicity remained prominent, suggesting long-term effects of these toxicants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia S Carvalho
- CESAM and Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, University of Aveiro, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Diana Fonseca-Rodrigues
- School of Medicine, Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), Campus of Gualtar, University of Minho, Braga 4750-057, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Mário Pacheco
- CESAM and Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, University of Aveiro, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Armando Almeida
- School of Medicine, Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), Campus of Gualtar, University of Minho, Braga 4750-057, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Filipa Pinto-Ribeiro
- School of Medicine, Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), Campus of Gualtar, University of Minho, Braga 4750-057, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Pereira
- CESAM and Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, University of Aveiro, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal.
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De Marco G, Billè B, Brandão F, Galati M, Pereira P, Cappello T, Pacheco M. Differential Cell Metabolic Pathways in Gills and Liver of Fish (White Seabream Diplodus sargus) Coping with Dietary Methylmercury Exposure. TOXICS 2023; 11:181. [PMID: 36851056 PMCID: PMC9961322 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11020181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a dangerous and persistent trace element. Its organic and highly toxic form, methylmercury (MeHg), easily crosses biological membranes and accumulates in biota. Nevertheless, understanding the mechanisms of dietary MeHg toxicity in fish remains a challenge. A time-course experiment was conducted with juvenile white seabreams, Diplodus sargus (Linnaeus, 1758), exposed to realistic levels of MeHg in feed (8.7 μg g-1, dry weight), comprising exposure (E; 7 and 14 days) and post-exposure (PE; 28 days) periods. Total Hg levels increased with time in gills and liver during E and decreased significantly in PE (though levels of control fish were reached only for gills), with liver exhibiting higher levels (2.7 times) than gills. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics revealed multiple and often differential metabolic changes between fish organs. Gills exhibited protein catabolism, disturbances in cholinergic neurotransmission, and changes in osmoregulation and lipid and energy metabolism. However, dietary MeHg exposure provoked altered protein metabolism in the liver with decreased amino acids, likely for activation of defensive strategies. PE allowed for the partial recovery of both organs, even if with occurrence of oxidative stress and changes of energy metabolism. Overall, these findings support organ-specific responses according to their sensitivity to Hg exposure, pointing out that indications obtained in biomonitoring studies may depend also on the selected organ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe De Marco
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Barbara Billè
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Fátima Brandão
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) and Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Mariachiara Galati
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Patrícia Pereira
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) and Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Tiziana Cappello
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Mário Pacheco
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) and Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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Arslan P, Ozeren SC. Physiological and histopathological alterations in Capoeta baliki and Squalius pursakensis after caused by some environmental pollutants. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 194:183. [PMID: 35157148 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-09830-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The present study was aimed to apply physiological and histological biomarkers of pelagic and benthic fish species as biomonitoring of environmental pollutants. Capoeta baliki and Squalius pursakensis were caught from 5 stations in Kirmir Stream (Turkey). After measuring the total length and weight for condition factor analysis, liver, gill, brain, and kidney tissues of fish were taken for histopathological analysis. Dorsal muscles of fish tissues were analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The mean condition factor of C. baliki and S. pursakensis were 1.14 and 0.97, respectively. It was indicated that the first one was in good condition than the latter one. According to histopathological observations, the alterations in the tissues may be associated with the environmental pollutants' exposure. The total concentration of PAHs of dorsal muscle of C. baliki and S. pursakensis found ranged from 0.915 to 108.421 µg/kg and 0.601 to 675.248 µg/kg, respectively. The highest total concentrations of OCPs were found as 44.16 µg/kg for C. baliki and as 562.12 µg/kg for S. pursakensis. The PCB 28 (10.83 µg/kg), PCB 52 (10.92 µg/kg), PCB 138 (226.24 µg/kg), and the total concentrations of PBDEs were found as 151.74 µg/kg in only S. pursakensis. The result of the concentrations of the investigated pollutants was generally found higher in S. pursakensis which is a higher trophic level than C. baliki. Histopathological alterations were detected as hyperemia in liver, gill, and brain; as hydrophobic degeneration in liver; hyperplasia in gill; and tubular degeneration in kidney tissues of both species. The obtained result of the study shows that the environmental pollutants may affect the physiological and histological status of fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pınar Arslan
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey.
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Çankırı Karatekin University, Çankırı, Turkey.
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Costa F, Coelho JP, Baptista J, Martinho F, Pereira E, Pardal MA. Lifelong mercury bioaccumulation in Atlantic horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) and the potential risks to human consumption. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 173:113015. [PMID: 34628345 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Atlantic horse mackerel is one of the most commercially important species in Europe. It can reach a longevity of 30 years, with potential implications in lifespan mercury contamination. This study conducted along the Portuguese coast aimed at evaluating the total Hg content and tissue distribution, to determine the annual mercury bioaccumulation patterns and the associated risk for consumption. The T-Hg accumulation patterns observed followed the order: muscle (0.34) > liver (0.28) > heart (0.19) > gills (0.11) > brain (0.041 mg kg-1). Significant differences between tissues reflect the role of the different tissues in storage and redistribution. Significant relationships observed between age and T-Hg for all tissues highlight the continuous nature of the bioaccumulation process. European food safety guidelines signalled significant risk of consumption in about 30% of the samples. Still, there was an overall low risk from the consumption of this species, which can be further minimized through consumer options to avoid health issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe Costa
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - João P Coelho
- Department of Biology, CESAM, ECOMARE, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Joana Baptista
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Filipe Martinho
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Eduarda Pereira
- Department of Chemistry, REQUIMTE, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Miguel A Pardal
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
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Dimitriadi A, Papaefthimiou C, Genizegkini E, Sampsonidis I, Kalogiannis S, Feidantsis K, Bobori DC, Kastrinaki G, Koumoundouros G, Lambropoulou DA, Kyzas GZ, Bikiaris DN. Adverse effects polystyrene microplastics exert on zebrafish heart - Molecular to individual level. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 416:125969. [PMID: 34492880 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In the present study the effects of sublethal concentrations of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) on zebrafish were evaluated at multiple levels, related to fish activity and oxidative stress, metabolic changes and contraction parameters in the heart tissue. Zebrafish were fed for 21 days food enriched with PS-MPs (particle sizes 3-12 µm) and a battery of stress indices like DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, autophagy, ubiquitin levels, caspases activation, metabolite adjustments, frequency and force of ventricular contraction were measured in fish heart, parallel to fish swimming velocity. In particular, exposure to PS-MPs caused significant decrease in heart function and swimming competence, while enhanced levels of oxidative stress indices and metabolic adjustments were observed in the heart of challenged species. Among stress indices, DNA damage was more vulnerable to the effect of PS-MPs. Our results provide evidence on the multiplicity of the PS-MPs effects on cellular function, physiology and metabolic pathways and heart rate of adult fish and subsequent effects on fish activity and fish fitness thus enlightening MPs characterization as a potent environmental pollutant.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chrisovalantis Papaefthimiou
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eleni Genizegkini
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioannis Sampsonidis
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, International Hellenic University, GR-574 00 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Stavros Kalogiannis
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, International Hellenic University, GR-574 00 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Feidantsis
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitra C Bobori
- Laboratory of Ichthyology, Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | | | | | - Dimitra A Lambropoulou
- Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - George Z Kyzas
- Department of Chemistry, International Hellenic University, Kavala GR-654 04, Greece
| | - Dimitrios N Bikiaris
- Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Technology, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Minet A, Manceau A, Valada-Mennuni A, Brault-Favrou M, Churlaud C, Fort J, Nguyen T, Spitz J, Bustamante P, Lacoue-Labarthe T. Mercury in the tissues of five cephalopods species: First data on the nervous system. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 759:143907. [PMID: 33333333 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg), one of the elements most toxic to biota, accumulates within organisms throughout their lifespan and biomagnifies along trophic chain. Due to their key role in marine systems, cephalopods constitute a major vector of Hg in predators. Further, they grow rapidly and display complex behaviours, which can be altered by neurotoxic Hg. This study investigated Hg concentrations within 81 cephalopod specimens sampled in the Bay of Biscay, which belonged to five species: Eledone cirrhosa, Sepia officinalis, Loligo vulgaris, Todaropsis eblanae and Illex coindetii. Hg concentrations were measured in the digestive gland, the mantle muscle and the optic lobes of the brain. The digestive gland and the mantle were tissues with the most concentrated Hg among all species considered (up to 1.50 μg.g-1 dw), except E. cirrhosa. This benthic cephalopod had 1.3-fold higher Hg concentrations in the brain (up to 1.89 μg.g-1 dw) than in the mantle, while other species had 2-fold lower concentrations of Hg in the brain than in the mantle. Brain-Hg concentrations can be predicted from muscle-Hg concentrations for a given species, which facilitates the assessment of Hg toxicokinetics in cephalopods. In the most contaminated E. cirrhosa individual, the chemical form of Hg in its digestive gland, mantle muscle and optic lobes, was determined using High energy-Resolution X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (HR XANES) spectroscopy. In the digestive gland, 33 ± 11% of total Hg was inorganic Hg speciated as a dicysteinate complex (Hg(Cys)2), which suggested that the demethylation of dietary MeHg occurs in this organ. All Hg found in the mantle muscle and the optic lobes is methylated and bound to one cysteinyl group (MeHgCys complex), which implies that dietary MeHg is distributed to these tissues via the bloodstream. These results raised the questions regarding interspecific differences observed regarding Hg brain concentrations and the possible effect of Hg on cephalopod functional brain plasticity and behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Minet
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Alain Manceau
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, ISTerre, CNRS, CS 40700, 38058 Grenoble, France
| | - Anaïs Valada-Mennuni
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Maud Brault-Favrou
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Carine Churlaud
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Jérôme Fort
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Thành Nguyen
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France; Université des Sciences et des Technologies de Hanoï (USTH), 18 Hoàng Quốc Việt, Nghĩa Đô, Cầu Giấy, Hà Nội, Viet Nam
| | - Jérôme Spitz
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 5 Allées de l'Océan, 17000 La Rochelle, France; Observatoire PELAGIS, UMS 3462 CNRS -La Rochelle Université, 5 Allées de l'Océan, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France; Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 1 rue Descartes, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Thomas Lacoue-Labarthe
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France.
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Ye X, Rountos KJ, Lee CS, Fisher NS. Effects of methylmercury on the early life stages of an estuarine forage fish using two different dietary sources. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 164:105240. [PMID: 33418125 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.105240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Marine fish accumulate methylmercury (MeHg) to elevated concentrations, often higher than in freshwater systems. As a neurotoxic compound, high MeHg tissue concentrations could affect fish behavior which in turn could affect their populations. We examined the sublethal effects of MeHg on larvae of the Sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus), an estuarine fish, using artificial or natural diets with varying MeHg concentrations (0-4.8 ppm). Larvae were fed control and MeHg-contaminated diets at low or normal (10% of their body mass) daily food rations from 7 to 29 days when they reached juvenile stage. Growth, respiration, swimming activity and prey capture ability were assessed. Food ration affected Hg toxicity in our study. Natural diets containing 3.2 ppm MeHg had no impacts on growth and swimming in fish that were fed normal food rations but depressed growth and swimming at low food rations. MeHg toxicity did not differ between artificial and natural foods, however fish accumulated more MeHg from the former. Artificial food containing 4.8 ppm MeHg only affected prey capture after 21 days of exposure. Sheepshead minnows, a forage fish species occupying a low trophic level in coastal waters, can be MeHg tolerant, especially when food is abundant, and can serve as an enriched Hg source for higher trophic level predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiayan Ye
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA.
| | - Konstantine J Rountos
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA; Department of Biology, St. Joseph's College, Patchogue, NY, 11772, USA
| | - Cheng-Shiuan Lee
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA; New York State Center for Clean Water Technology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11790, USA
| | - Nicholas S Fisher
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA
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Liu H, Lamarins A, Labonne J, Monperrus M, Coste P, Huchet E, Rives J, Seiliez I, Bolliet V. New insights into methylmercury induced behavioral and energy-related gene transcriptional responses in European glass eel (Anguilla anguilla). CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 255:127020. [PMID: 32679633 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The effect of methylmercury (MeHg) was investigated in glass eel migration behavior and metabolism. To migrate up estuary, glass eels synchronize their swimming activity to the flood tide and remain on or in the substratum during ebb tide. Following seven days of exposure to MeHg (100 ng L-1), glass eels migration behavior was expressed by their swimming synchronization to the water current reversal every 6.2 h (mimicking the alternation of flood and ebb tides) and their swimming activity level. In relation to their behavior, we then analyzed the energy-related gene expression levels in individual head, viscera and muscle. Results showed that MeHg decreased the number of glass eels synchronized to the change in water current direction and their swimming activity level. This last effect was more pronounced in non-synchronized fish than in synchronized ones, supporting the idea that non-synchronized glass eels could be more vulnerable to stress. As regard the expression of energy-related genes, no significant difference was observed between control and MeHg-exposed fish. In contrast, when the swimming activity levels were plotted against transcriptional responses, positive correlations were evidenced in viscera and especially in the head of exposed glass eels but not in control. Finally, it is noteworthy that non-synchronized glass eels displayed lower expression level of metabolism genes than their synchronized counterpart, but only in the head. Altogether, these results support the interest of focusing on the head to investigate the facultative migration behavior in glass eels and the effect of environmental stressors on this rhythmic behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hengtong Liu
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, INRAE, ECOBIOP, Aquapôle INRAE, MIRA, F64310, Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France; INRAE, Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, NuMéA, F64310, Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France
| | - Amaia Lamarins
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, INRAE, ECOBIOP, Aquapôle INRAE, MIRA, F64310, Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France
| | - Jacques Labonne
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, INRAE, ECOBIOP, Aquapôle INRAE, MIRA, F64310, Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France
| | - Mathilde Monperrus
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, CNRS, Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physicochimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux - MIRA, UMR 5254, 64600, Anglet, France
| | - Pascale Coste
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, INRAE, ECOBIOP, Aquapôle INRAE, MIRA, F64310, Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France
| | - Emmanuel Huchet
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, INRAE, ECOBIOP, Aquapôle INRAE, MIRA, F64310, Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France
| | - Jacques Rives
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, INRAE, ECOBIOP, Aquapôle INRAE, MIRA, F64310, Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France
| | - Iban Seiliez
- INRAE, Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, NuMéA, F64310, Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France
| | - Valérie Bolliet
- Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S UPPA, INRAE, ECOBIOP, Aquapôle INRAE, MIRA, F64310, Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, France.
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10
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Mercury in Juvenile Solea senegalensis: Linking Bioaccumulation, Seafood Safety, and Neuro-Oxidative Responses under Climate Change-Related Stressors. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/app10061993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is globally recognized as a persistent chemical contaminant that accumulates in marine biota, thus constituting an ecological hazard, as well as a health risk to seafood consumers. Climate change-related stressors may influence the bioaccumulation, detoxification, and toxicity of chemical contaminants, such as Hg. Yet, the potential interactions between environmental stressors and contaminants, as well as their impacts on marine organisms and seafood safety, are still unclear. Hence, the aim of this work was to assess the bioaccumulation of Hg and neuro-oxidative responses on the commercial flat fish species Solea senegalensis (muscle, liver, and brain) co-exposed to dietary Hg in its most toxic form (i.e., MeHg), seawater warming (ΔT°C = +4 °C), and acidification (pCO2 = +1000 µatm, equivalent to ΔpH = −0.4 units). In general, fish liver exhibited the highest Hg concentration, followed by brain and muscle. Warming enhanced Hg bioaccumulation, whereas acidification decreased this element’s levels. Neuro-oxidative responses to stressors were affected by both climate change-related stressors and Hg dietary exposure. Hazard quotient (HQ) estimations evidenced that human exposure to Hg through the consumption of fish species may be aggravated in tomorrow’s ocean, thus raising concerns from the seafood safety perspective.
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11
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Ehnert-Russo SL, Gelsleichter J. Mercury Accumulation and Effects in the Brain of the Atlantic Sharpnose Shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae). ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2020; 78:267-283. [PMID: 31760438 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-019-00691-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Few published studies have examined whether the elevated concentrations of the nonessential toxic metal mercury (Hg) often observed in shark muscle also occur in the shark brain or whether Hg accumulation affects shark neurophysiology. Therefore, this study examined accumulation and distribution of Hg in the shark brain, as well as effects of Hg on oxidative stress in the shark central nervous system, with particular focus on the Atlantic sharpnose shark (Rhizoprionodon terraenovae). Sharks were collected along the southeastern U.S. coast throughout most of this species' U.S. geographical range. Total Hg (THg) concentrations were measured in and compared between shark muscle and brain, whereas known biomarkers of Hg-induced neurological effects, including glutathione depletion, lipid peroxidation, and concentrations of a protein marker of glial cell damage (S100b), were measured in shark cerebrospinal fluid. Brain THg concentrations were correlated with muscle THg levels but were significantly lower and did not exceed most published thresholds for neurological effects, suggesting limited potential for detrimental responses. Biomarker concentrations supported this premise, because these data were not correlated with brain THg levels. Hg speciation also was examined. Unlike muscle, methylmercury (MeHg) did not comprise a high percentage of THg in the brain, suggesting that differential uptake or loss of organic and inorganic Hg and/or demethylation of MeHg may occur in this organ. Although Hg accumulation in the shark brain generally fell below toxicity thresholds, higher THg levels were measured in the shark forebrain compared with the midbrain and hindbrain. Therefore, there is potential for selective effects on certain aspects of shark neurophysiology if brain Hg accumulation is increased.
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Affiliation(s)
- S L Ehnert-Russo
- University of North Florida, 1 UNF Dr, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - J Gelsleichter
- University of North Florida, 1 UNF Dr, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA.
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12
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Gonçalves ARN, Marinsek GP, de Souza Abessa DM, de Britto Mari R. Adaptative responses of myenteric neurons of Sphoeroides testudineus to environmental pollution. Neurotoxicology 2019; 76:84-92. [PMID: 31669307 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2019.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Contamination in estuarine regions affects the local biota damaging the ecosystems and reaching humans. The gastrointestinal tract is a dynamic environment capable of obtaining nutrients and energy from food while it protects the host against harmful toxins and pathogens from the external environment. These functions are modulated by the enteric nervous system and changes in its structure can result in gastrointestinal disorders. The objective of this study was to evaluate if the environmental contaminants have effects on the myenteric neuronal plasticity of pufferfish Sphoeroides testudineus. Animals were collected in Barra do Una River, located at Jureia-Itatins Mosaic of Protected Areas (reference area - RA) and in the Santos Estuarine System (impacted area - IA). Morpho-quantitative analyses of the general and metabolically active myenteric neuronal populations of the proximal and distal intestine were made. Disarrangement was observed in the general organization of the myenteric plexus, with an expressive reduction of the neuronal groups (nodes) in the animals of IA. The vulnerability of the myenteric plexus was evidenced by a decrease in density and cellular profile of the general neuronal population, followed by an increase of the metabolism of the remaining neurons, which in turn was verified by a growth of the area of the cellular and nuclear profiles of the metabolically active neuronal population. Through these analyses, we concluded that animals inhabiting polluted regions present alterations in the myenteric neuronal plasticity, as a way of maintaining the functions of the gastrointestinal tract.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriela Pustiglione Marinsek
- São Paulo State University - Coastal Campus, Laboratório de Morfofisiologia Animal (LABMA), Sao Vicente, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Denis Moledo de Souza Abessa
- São Paulo State University - Coastal Campus, Núcleo de Estudos em Poluição e Ecotoxcologia Aquática (NEPEA), Sao Vicente, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renata de Britto Mari
- São Paulo State University - Coastal Campus, Laboratório de Morfofisiologia Animal (LABMA), Sao Vicente, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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13
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Cao M, Song F, Yang X, Peng L, Cheng Y, Zheng Q, Liang Y, Wang C. Identification of Potential Long Noncoding RNA Biomarker of Mercury Compounds in Zebrafish Embryos. Chem Res Toxicol 2019; 32:878-886. [PMID: 30912647 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.9b00029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Heavy metal pollution elicits severe environmental concern and health problem worldwide. Mercury is considered as a ubiquitous pollutant due to its versatile application in medicine, industry, and cosmetics. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are transcripts greater than 200 nt without protein-encoding function. However, little is known about the mechanism of heavy metals-induced noncoding RNA changes in aquatic organisms. To reveal the epigenetic mechanism of mercury toxicity in zebrafish embryos and explore novel specific mercury-toxicological biomarkers, several well-studied lncRNAs were screened by real-time PCR, and the spatial-temporal expression of lncRNAs biomarker was evaluated by in situ hybridization. The nerve systems of zebrafish embryos were evaluated by detecting locomotor behavior and the expression of neuro-genes. We identified a mercury responsive lncRNA, metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (malat1), among five candidate lncRNAs. HgCl2, MeHg, PbCl2, CdCl2, and K2CrO4 exposure assay showed that malat-1 was a mercury specific induced lncRNAs. Malat1 was highly expressed in the brain region, eyes, and notochord of developing zebrafish embryos after exposure to mercury compounds. HgCl2 showed neurobehavior disturbance and changed neuro-genes expression pattern in zebrafish larvae. This study provides a biological method to detect inorganic or organic mercury using malat1 as a novel biomarker of mercury contamination and also clues for the exploration of neurotoxicity mechanism of mercury compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxi Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100085 , P. R. China
| | - Fei Song
- School of Environmental Ecology and Biological Engineering , Wuhan Institute of Technology , Wuhan 430205 , China
| | - Xue Yang
- School of Environmental Ecology and Biological Engineering , Wuhan Institute of Technology , Wuhan 430205 , China
| | - Lei Peng
- School of Environmental Ecology and Biological Engineering , Wuhan Institute of Technology , Wuhan 430205 , China
| | - Yang Cheng
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering , Wuhan University of Science and Technology , Wuhan 430081 , China
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14
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Pereira P, Korbas M, Pereira V, Cappello T, Maisano M, Canário J, Almeida A, Pacheco M. A multidimensional concept for mercury neuronal and sensory toxicity in fish - From toxicokinetics and biochemistry to morphometry and behavior. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2019; 1863:129298. [PMID: 30768958 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2019.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuronal and sensory toxicity of mercury (Hg) compounds has been largely investigated in humans/mammals with a focus on public health, while research in fish is less prolific and dispersed by different species. Well-established premises for mammals have been governing fish research, but some contradictory findings suggest that knowledge translation between these animal groups needs prudence [e.g. the relative higher neurotoxicity of methylmercury (MeHg) vs. inorganic Hg (iHg)]. Biochemical/physiological differences between the groups (e.g. higher brain regeneration in fish) may determine distinct patterns. This review undertakes the challenge of identifying sensitive cellular targets, Hg-driven biochemical/physiological vulnerabilities in fish, while discriminating specificities for Hg forms. SCOPE OF REVIEW A functional neuroanatomical perspective was conceived, comprising: (i) Hg occurrence in the aquatic environment; (ii) toxicokinetics on central nervous system (CNS)/sensory organs; (iii) effects on neurotransmission; (iv) biochemical/physiological effects on CNS/sensory organs; (v) morpho-structural changes on CNS/sensory organs; (vi) behavioral effects. The literature was also analyzed to generate a multidimensional conceptualization translated into a Rubik's Cube where key factors/processes were proposed. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS Hg neurosensory toxicity was unequivocally demonstrated. Some correspondence with toxicity mechanisms described for mammals (mainly at biochemical level) was identified. Although the research has been dispersed by numerous fish species, 29 key factors/processes were pinpointed. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Future trends were identified and translated into 25 factors/processes to be addressed. Unveiling the neurosensory toxicity of Hg in fish has a major motivation of protecting ichtyopopulations and ecosystems, but can also provide fundamental knowledge to the field of human neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Pereira
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Malgorzata Korbas
- Science Division, Canadian Light Source Inc., Saskatoon, Canada; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Vitória Pereira
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Tiziana Cappello
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - Maria Maisano
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - João Canário
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, Lisboa 1049-001, Portugal
| | - Armando Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine (EM), University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, Braga 4750-057, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Mário Pacheco
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro 3810-193, Portugal.
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15
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AnvariFar H, Amirkolaie AK, Jalali AM, Miandare HK, Sayed AH, Üçüncü Sİ, Ouraji H, Ceci M, Romano N. Environmental pollution and toxic substances: Cellular apoptosis as a key parameter in a sensible model like fish. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY 2018; 204:144-159. [PMID: 30273782 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2018.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2018] [Revised: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The industrial wastes, sewage effluents, agricultural run-off and decomposition of biological waste may cause high environmental concentration of chemicals that can interfere with the cell cycle activating the programmed process of cells death (apoptosis). In order to provide a detailed understanding of environmental pollutants-induced apoptosis, here we reviewed the current knowledge on the interactions of environmental chemicals and programmed cell death. Metals (aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, zinc, copper, mercury and silver) as well as other chemicals including bleached kraft pulp mill effluent (BKME), persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and pesticides (organo-phosphated, organo-chlorinated, carbamates, phyretroids and biopesticides) were evaluated in relation to apoptotic pathways, heat shock proteins and metallothioneins. Although research performed over the past decades has improved our understanding of processes involved in apoptosis in fish, yet there is lack of knowledge on associations between environmental pollutants and apoptosis. Thus, this review could be useful tool to study the cytotoxic/apoptotic effects of different pollutants in fish species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein AnvariFar
- Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Animal Science and Fisheries, University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 578, Sari, Iran; University of Applied Science and Technology, Provincial Unit, P.O. Box: 4916694338, Golestan, Iran
| | - A K Amirkolaie
- Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Animal Science and Fisheries, University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 578, Sari, Iran
| | - Ali M Jalali
- Faculty of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, 49138-15739, Iran; Sturgeon Affairs Management, Gorgan, Golestan, Iran; Center for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, VIC, 3280, Australia
| | - H K Miandare
- Faculty of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, 49138-15739, Iran
| | - Alaa H Sayed
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, 71516 Assiut, Egypt
| | - Sema İşisağ Üçüncü
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Bornova, 35100, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Hossein Ouraji
- Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Animal Science and Fisheries, University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, P.O. Box 578, Sari, Iran
| | - Marcello Ceci
- Department Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Tuscia University, Viterbo, 01100, Italy
| | - Nicla Romano
- Department Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Tuscia University, Viterbo, 01100, Italy.
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16
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Pereira R, Leite E, Raimundo J, Guilherme S, Puga S, Pinto-Ribeiro F, Santos MA, Canário J, Almeida A, Pacheco M, Pereira P. Metals(loids) targeting fish eyes and brain in a contaminated estuary - Uncovering neurosensory (un)susceptibility through bioaccumulation, antioxidant and morphometric profiles. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 140:403-411. [PMID: 30054132 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2018.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2018] [Revised: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This study examined the susceptibility of fish (Liza aurata) eyes and brain to metals(loids) contamination under realistic exposure conditions. A multidimensional approach was applied to fish caught at a chronically contaminated site (BAR) and at a reference site of the Tagus estuary (Portugal), which comprised metals(loids) accumulation in eyes and brain together with a battery of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, as well as brain morphometry (i.e. cell density). Trace element levels in the blood, gills, liver and kidney allowed interpretations on their preferential pathway(s) to the eyes and brain. Metals(loids) accumulation pointed out the elevated vulnerability of the fish eyes at BAR, probably related with the direct waterborne uptake. Pb uptake in L. aurata eyes could be associated both with water and indirect pathways. At the most contaminated site, metals(loids) were on the basis of pro-oxidant conditions in the ocular tissues, while no indication of toxicity was recorded in the brain. Overall, the results disclosed a differential bioaccumulation among fish organs, suggesting that, in the L. aurata population studied, metal organotropism underlie the lower susceptibility of the brain comparing to the eyes. However, mechanisms remain little understood and further work is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Pereira
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Eduarda Leite
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Joana Raimundo
- IPMA - Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atmosphere, Rua Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho, 6, 1495-006 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sofia Guilherme
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Sónia Puga
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine (EM), Campus of Gualtar, University of Minho, 4750-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Filipa Pinto-Ribeiro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine (EM), Campus of Gualtar, University of Minho, 4750-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Maria Ana Santos
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - João Canário
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Armando Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine (EM), Campus of Gualtar, University of Minho, 4750-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Mário Pacheco
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Pereira
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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17
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Puga S, Cardoso V, Pinto-Ribeiro F, Pacheco M, Almeida A, Pereira P. Brain morphometric profiles and their seasonal modulation in fish (Liza aurata) inhabiting a mercury contaminated estuary. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 237:318-328. [PMID: 29499575 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.02.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a potent neurotoxicant known to induce important adverse effects on fish, but a deeper understanding is lacking regarding how environmental exposure affects the brain morphology and neural plasticity of specific brain regions in wild specimens. In this work, it was evaluated the relative volume and cell density of the lateral pallium, hypothalamus, optic tectum and molecular layer of the cerebellum on wild Liza aurata captured in Hg-contaminated (LAR) and non-contaminated (SJ) sites of a coastal system (Ria de Aveiro, Portugal). Given the season-related variations in the environment that fish are naturally exposed, this assessment was performed in the winter and summer. Hg triggered a deficit in cell density of hypothalamus during the winter that could lead to hormonal dysfunctions, while in the summer Hg promoted larger volumes of the optic tectum and cerebellum, indicating the warm period as the most critical for the manifestation of putative changes in visual acuity and motor-dependent tasks. Moreover, in fish from the SJ site, the lateral pallium relative volume and the cell density of the hypothalamus and optic tectum were higher in the winter than in summer. Thus, season-related stimuli strongly influence the size and/or cell density of specific brain regions in the non-contaminated area, pointing out the ability of fish to adapt to environmental and physiological demands. Conversely, fish from the Hg-contaminated site showed a distinct seasonal profile of brain morphology, presenting a larger optic tectum in the summer, as well as a larger molecular layer of the cerebellum with higher cell density. Moreover, Hg exposure impaired the winter-summer variation of the lateral pallium relative size (as observed at SJ). Altogether, seasonal variations in fish neural morphology and physiology should be considered when performing ecotoxicological studies in order to better discriminate the Hg neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sónia Puga
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine (EM), Campus of Gualtar, University of Minho, 4750-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Vera Cardoso
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine (EM), Campus of Gualtar, University of Minho, 4750-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Filipa Pinto-Ribeiro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine (EM), Campus of Gualtar, University of Minho, 4750-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Mário Pacheco
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Armando Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine (EM), Campus of Gualtar, University of Minho, 4750-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Patrícia Pereira
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
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18
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Barboza LGA, Vieira LR, Guilhermino L. Single and combined effects of microplastics and mercury on juveniles of the European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax): Changes in behavioural responses and reduction of swimming velocity and resistance time. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 236:1014-1019. [PMID: 29449115 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.12.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Revised: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics and mercury are environmental pollutants of great concern. The main goal of the present study was to investigate the effects of these pollutants, both individually and in binary mixtures, on the swimming performance of juvenile European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax. Microplastics alone, mercury alone and all the mixtures caused significant reduction of the swimming velocity and resistance time of fish. Moreover, changes in behavioural responses including lethargic and erratic swimming behaviour were observed. These results highlight that fish behavioural responses can be used as sensitive endpoint to establish the effects of contamination by microplastics and also emphasizes the need to assess the combined effects of microplastics and other environmental contaminants, with special attention to the effects on behavioural responses in fish and other aquatic species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Gabriel Antão Barboza
- ICBAS - Institute of Biomedical Sciences of Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Department of Populations Study, Laboratory of Ecotoxicology (ECOTOX), Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; CIIMAR/CIMAR-LA - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Research Group of Ecotoxicology, Stress Ecology and Environmental Health (ECOTOX), Av. General Norton de Matos, S/n, 289, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, 70040-020 Brasília, DF, Brazil.
| | - Luís Russo Vieira
- ICBAS - Institute of Biomedical Sciences of Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Department of Populations Study, Laboratory of Ecotoxicology (ECOTOX), Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; CIIMAR/CIMAR-LA - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Research Group of Ecotoxicology, Stress Ecology and Environmental Health (ECOTOX), Av. General Norton de Matos, S/n, 289, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
| | - Lúcia Guilhermino
- ICBAS - Institute of Biomedical Sciences of Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Department of Populations Study, Laboratory of Ecotoxicology (ECOTOX), Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; CIIMAR/CIMAR-LA - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Research Group of Ecotoxicology, Stress Ecology and Environmental Health (ECOTOX), Av. General Norton de Matos, S/n, 289, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
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19
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Maulvault AL, Barbosa V, Alves R, Custódio A, Anacleto P, Repolho T, Pousão Ferreira P, Rosa R, Marques A, Diniz M. Ecophysiological responses of juvenile seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) exposed to increased temperature and dietary methylmercury. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 586:551-558. [PMID: 28216029 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Revised: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The ecotoxicological effects of methylmercury (MeHg) exposure have been intensively described in literature. Yet, it is still unclear how marine biota will respond to the presence of MeHg under climate change, namely ocean warming. The present study aimed to investigate, for the first time, fish condition [Fulton's K index (K), hepatosomatic index (HIS) and brain-to-body mass ratio (BB-ratio)] and several stress-related responses in an ecologically and commercially important fish species (Dicentrachus labrax) exposed for 28days to dietary MeHg (8.0mg kg-1 dw) and temperature increase (+4°C). Results showed significant impairments on fish condition, i.e. up to 34% decrease on K, >100% increase on HIS and 44% decrease on BB-ratio, compared to control conditions. Significant changes on tissue biochemical responses were observed in fish exposed to both stressors, acting alone or combined, evidencing the relevance of assessing possible interactions between different environmental stressors in ecotoxicological studies. For instance, muscle showed to be the least affected tissue, only revealing significant alterations in GST activity of MeHg-enriched fish. On the other hand, liver exhibited a significant induction of GST (>100%) and CAT (up to 74%) in MeHg-enriched fish, regardless of temperature exposure, as well as decreased SOD activity (19%) and increased HSP70/HSC70 content (87%) in fish exposed to warming alone. Brain showed to be affected by temperature (69% of GST inhibition and >100% of increased CAT activity), MeHg (>100% of increased CAT activity, 47% of SOD inhibition and 55% of AChE inhibition), as well as by the combination of both (GST, SOD and AChE inhibition, 17%, 48% and 53%, respectively). Hence, our data provides evidences that the toxicological aspects of MeHg ca be potentiated by warmer temperatures, thus, evidencing the need for further research combining contaminants exposure and climate change effects, to better forecast ecological impacts in the ocean of tomorrow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Luísa Maulvault
- Division of Aquaculture and Seafood Upgrading. Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, I.P. (IPMA), Rua Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho, 6, 1495-006 Lisboa, Portugal; Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Universidade do Porto, Rua dos Bragas, 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal; MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Laboratório Marítimo da Guia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Nossa Senhora do Cabo, 939, 2750-374 Cascais, Portugal.
| | - Vera Barbosa
- Division of Aquaculture and Seafood Upgrading. Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, I.P. (IPMA), Rua Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho, 6, 1495-006 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Alves
- Division of Aquaculture and Seafood Upgrading. Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, I.P. (IPMA), Rua Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho, 6, 1495-006 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana Custódio
- Division of Aquaculture and Seafood Upgrading. Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, I.P. (IPMA), Rua Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho, 6, 1495-006 Lisboa, Portugal; Instituto Superior de Agronomia (ISA), School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Anacleto
- Division of Aquaculture and Seafood Upgrading. Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, I.P. (IPMA), Rua Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho, 6, 1495-006 Lisboa, Portugal; Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Universidade do Porto, Rua dos Bragas, 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal; MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Laboratório Marítimo da Guia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Nossa Senhora do Cabo, 939, 2750-374 Cascais, Portugal
| | - Tiago Repolho
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Laboratório Marítimo da Guia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Nossa Senhora do Cabo, 939, 2750-374 Cascais, Portugal
| | - Pedro Pousão Ferreira
- Division of Aquaculture and Seafood Upgrading. Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, I.P. (IPMA), Rua Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho, 6, 1495-006 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rui Rosa
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Laboratório Marítimo da Guia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Nossa Senhora do Cabo, 939, 2750-374 Cascais, Portugal
| | - António Marques
- Division of Aquaculture and Seafood Upgrading. Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, I.P. (IPMA), Rua Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho, 6, 1495-006 Lisboa, Portugal; Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Universidade do Porto, Rua dos Bragas, 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal
| | - Mário Diniz
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE Chemistry Department, Centre of Fine Chemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Nova University of Lisbon (CQFB-FCT/UNL), 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
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